Sydney Academics To Lead 57 ARC Discovery Projects

University of Sydney researchers have been awarded more than $36 million for 57 news research projects spanning AI, climate change, and industrial innovation in the Australian Government’s highly competitive ARC Discovery Projects scheme

The Australian Research Council (ARC) has announced the 2025 round of successful Discovery Projects, which includes projects that explore new applications of artificial intelligence, the impact of climate change across human society and natural ecosystems, and innovative new materials and techniques with industrial applications.

The University of Sydney leads on 57 projects awarded a total of $36.85 million – more than 10 percent of the funding awarded in the current round by the ARC to 536 new projects across the country.

Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Research) Professor Julie Cairney, congratulated the successful applicants.

“The ARC Discovery Projects scheme is incredibly competitive, and it’s fantastic to see so many projects from the University of Sydney recognised in the latest round,” Professor Cairney said.

“To have 57 successful applications from across the University’s faculties and schools, out of 536 awarded nationally, speaks to the calibre of our academics’ expertise and our world-leading facilities which enable research excellence.”

ARC Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr Richard Johnson, said the ARC Discovery Projects scheme supports excellent basic and applied research to expand Australia’s knowledge base and research capability.

“Discovery grants support individual researchers and research teams in research projects that provide economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits to the Australian community,” Dr Johnson said.

Research projects funded by the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Programs such as the Discovery Projects scheme have been found to generate $3.32 in economic output for every $1 of research funding.

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